RU2766175C1 - Apparatus for producing aerosol from an aerosol-forming substance, article made of an aerosol-forming substance, and method for controlling the aerosol-production apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: engineering.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to an apparatus for producing aerosol from an aerosol-forming substance, containing an article made of an aerosol-forming substance, and to a method for controlling the aerosol-producing apparatus. The apparatus comprises a body, a chamber for accommodating the article containing an aerosol-forming substance and a marking structure including a first marker and a second marker, located at a predetermined distance from each other, and a structure with sensors, containing a first sensor for determining the first marker and a second sensor for determining the second marker. The first and the second sensors are located at approximately the same distance from each other as said predetermined distance, wherein the first sensor has a first sensitivity area wherein it is capable of detecting the first marker, and the second sensor has a second sensitivity area wherein it is capable of detecting the second marker. The first and the second sensors are therein located at such a distance from each other that a point in the first sensitivity area and a point in the second sensitivity area are spaced by a predetermined distance. The method includes determining a first indicating sign of the product by means of the first sensor from the structure with sensors, a second indicating sign of the product by means of the second sensor from the structure with sensors, located at a predetermined distance from the first sensor, determining the distance between the first indicating sign and the second indicating sign, and controlling the aerosol-producing apparatus based on at least the distance between the first indicating sign and the second indicating sign.

EFFECT: possibility of producing aerosol from an aerosol-forming substance.

19 cl, 10 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to an aerosol generating device from an aerosol-forming agent, an aerosol-forming agent article, a system comprising an aerosol-forming agent aerosol generating device and an aerosol-forming agent article, and a method for controlling an aerosol-forming agent aerosol generating device.

State of the art

In articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like, tobacco is burned during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to offer alternatives to these products by creating products in which substances are released without being burned. Examples of such products are so-called "heating without combustion" products, also called tobacco heating products or tobacco heating device, in which substances are released by heating the material rather than burning it.

Disclosure of invention

The first object of the invention is a device for producing an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substance. The device contains a housing; a chamber for receiving an article containing an aerosol-forming substance and a marking structure including a first marker and a second marker, which are located at a predetermined distance from each other; and a sensor structure that includes a first sensor for detecting a first marker and a second sensor for detecting a second marker. The first and second sensors are located at approximately the same distance from each other as the specified predetermined distance.

The second object of the invention is a product for use with the device described above. The product contains an aerosol-forming substance and a marking structure, including the first marker and the second marker, which contains identification information, while the first and second markers are located at a predetermined distance from each other.

The third object of the invention is an aerosol delivery system, which contains the device and product described above.

The fourth object of the invention is a method for controlling an aerosol generating device. The method includes the steps of determining, by means of the first sensor of the sensor structure, the first indicating sign of the article containing the aerosol-forming substance; determining, by means of a second sensor of the sensor structure, which is located at a predetermined distance from the first sensor, a second product indicative sign; determining the distance between the first indicating character and the second indicating character; and controlling the aerosol generating device based on at least the distance between the first indication character and the second indication character.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In FIG. 1 shows a device for heating an article that contains an aerosol-forming substance, in perspective view;

in fig. 2 - the same, top view;

in fig. 3 - the same, sectional view;

in fig. 4 - a product containing an aerosol-forming substance, side view;

in fig. 5 - a product containing an aerosol-forming substance, side view;

in fig. 6 shows an example of the product according to FIG. 5 for optical sensor;

in fig. 7 is an example of a signal generated with a sensor design;

in fig. 8 is an example of a signal generated with a sensor design;

in fig. 9 - an example of a product containing an aerosol-forming substance;

in fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method for determining a product related parameter.

Implementation of the invention

In the present description, the term "aerosol-forming substance" includes materials that, when heated, provide the production of vaporized components, usually in the form of an aerosol. An "aerosol-forming agent" comprises any material containing tobacco and may, for example, contain tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The "aerosol-forming agent" may also contain other, non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The "aerosol-forming agent" may be in a solid, liquid, gel-like or waxy form or the like. An "aerosol-forming agent" may, for example, be a combination or mixture of materials.

The invention relates to a device that heats an aerosol-forming agent to vaporize at least one component of the agent, typically to form an inhalable aerosol without burning or burning the aerosol-forming agent. Such a device is sometimes referred to as a "non-burning heating device" or "tobacco heating product" or "tobacco heating device" or the like. There are so-called electronic cigarettes, which usually vaporize the aerosol-forming substance in the form of a liquid, which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol generating agent may be in the form of a rod, cartridge or cassette or the like that can be inserted into the device, or may be part of a rod, cartridge or cassette or the like that can be inserted into the device. One or more aerosol generating elements for evaporating the aerosol generating agent may be either a "permanent" part of the device or may be part of a consumable element that is removed and replaced after use. For example, one or more aerosol generating elements may be in the form of one or more heaters.

In FIG. 1 and 2 show an aerosol generating device 100, which may be an aerosol providing device. In general terms, device 100 can be used to heat replaceable article 102 that contains an aerosol-forming agent to produce an aerosol or other medium for inhalation by a user of system 100. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example of the device 100 shown in FIG. one.

Device 100 includes a housing 104. At one end of housing 104 is an opening 106 through which article 102 may be inserted into a heating chamber (not shown). In use, article 102 may be fully or partially inserted into this chamber. The heating chamber may be heated by one or more heating elements (not shown). The device 100 may also include a cover 108 for closing the opening 106 when the article 102 is not in place. In FIG. 1 and 2, lid 108 is shown in the open position, however, lid 108 can be moved, such as slid into the closed position. Device 100 may include a user-operable element 110, such as a button or switch, that, when pressed, controls device 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 100 includes a receptacle or heating chamber 112 that is configured to receive an article 102 to be heated. In one example, the heating chamber 112 is in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube into which an article 102 containing an aerosol-forming agent is inserted to heat it during use. However, different designs of the heating chamber 112 are possible. In the example of FIG. 3, the article 102 containing the aerosol-forming agent is inserted into the heating chamber 112. In this example, product 102 is an elongated cylindrical rod, although it could be any other suitable shape. In this example, the end of article 102 protrudes from device 100 through opening 106 in housing 104 so that, in use, the user can inhale aerosol through article 102. The end of article 102 that protrudes from device 102 may contain filter material. In other examples, article 102 may be completely contained within heating chamber 112 so that it does not protrude from device 100. In such a case, the user may inhale the aerosol directly from opening 106 or through a mouthpiece that may be connected to body 102 around opening 106.

Device 100 includes one or more aerosol generating elements. For example, the aerosol generating element may be a heating device 120 that is configured to heat article 102 located in chamber 112. Heating device 120 includes resistive heating elements that heat up when an electric current is passed through them. In another example, heating device 120 may include a sensing material that is heated by induction heating. In such a case, the device 100 includes one or more inductive elements that generate a changing magnetic field that penetrates the heating device 120. The heating device may be located inside or outside the heating chamber 112. The heating device may include a thin film heater that is wound around the outer surface of the heating chamber 112 . The heating device 120 may be configured as a single heater or may be configured as multiple heaters aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 112. The heating chamber 112 may be annular or tubular, or at least partially annular or tubular in circumference. For example, the heating chamber 112 may be limited to a stainless steel support tube. The dimensions of the heating chamber 112 are chosen such that substantially all of the aerosol-forming agent in the article 102, which in use is located in the heating chamber 112, is heated so that substantially all of the aerosol-forming agent can be heated. In other examples, heating device 120 may include a sensing element that is located on article 102 or in article 102, wherein the sensing material may be heated by a varying magnetic field generated by device 100. the substances can be heated independently, for example, in turn (over time) or together (at the same time), as desired.

In some examples, device 100 includes an electronics section 114 that houses a control circuitry or controller 116 and/or an electrical power source 118 such as a battery. In other examples, there may not be a separate electronics section, and controller 116 and power source 118 are located generally in device 100. Control circuitry or controller 116 may include a microprocessor configured to control the heating of the aerosol-forming agent, as will be described in detail below. The device 100 includes a sensor structure that includes a first sensor 122a and a second sensor 122b and that is configured to monitor the presence of a first marker (such as a control marker) of the product 102 and determine, read or otherwise obtain a second marker that contains an indicative sign or identification information. article 102, which will also be described below.

In some examples, controller 116 is configured to receive one or more inputs from sensor structure 122a, 122b. Controller 116 may also receive a signal from control element 110 and actuate heating device 120 in response to the received signal and received input. The electronic elements in the device 100 may be electrically connected using one or more connectors 124, which are shown in dotted lines.

The power source 118 may be, for example, a battery such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries are, for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery, and/or the like. The battery is electrically coupled to one or more heaters to provide electrical power under the control of controller 116 as needed to heat the aerosol-forming agent without burning the agent. The location of the power source 118 adjacent to the heating device 120 facilitates that a physically large power source 118 can be used without unduly increasing the length of the overall device 100. It is clear that a physically large electrical power source 118 has a greater capacity (i.e., the total electrical energy that can be supplied is often measured in Amp-hours or similar units) and therefore the battery life of the device 100 can be longer.

It is sometimes desirable for the device 100 to be able to operate in a power saving mode when the user is not using the device 100, as this mode reduces power consumption and increases battery life. It is also desirable for the device to be able to identify or recognize the specific article 102 that has been placed in the device 100 without additional input from the user. For example, device 100, in particular the control of heat provided by controller 116, will often be optimized for product 102 of a particular design (eg, size, shape, specific smokable material, and so on). It is undesirable to use the device 100 with an aerosol-forming agent or article 102 having other characteristics.

In addition, if the device 100 can identify or recognize the specific product 102, or at least the general type of product 102, that has been placed in the device 100, then this can eliminate or at least reduce the use of counterfeit or non-genuine products 102 with the device 100.

In one example, sensor structure 122a, 122b is configured to operate in a first mode, in which sensor structure 122a, 122b discretely monitors the presence of a first item marker 102, and in a second mode that follows detection of said first marker, with structure 122a , 122b with sensors is configured to determine the second marker, which contains the identification information of the product 102. The structure 122a, 122b with sensors includes a first sensor 122a and a second sensor 122b, which are located at a distance from each other, which approximately coincides with the distance between the first marker and second marker.

The sensor structure 122a, 122b may provide one or more signals to the input of the controller 116 based on a certain marking pattern. Based on the received one or more inputs, the controller 116 can determine a parameter or characteristic of the product 102, such as whether the product 102 is genuine. In one example, this determination is based on the characteristics of the input signal(s). For example, the first marker may generate a first input having a characteristic (e.g., value) that is expected, corresponding to the genuine article 102 or the type of aerosol-forming agent in the article 102. In other examples, the determination may be made based on the presence (or absence) of the input signal. (input signals), for example, if the first input signal is received, but the second input signal is not received, then it can be determined that the product 102 is not genuine. The controller 116 may actuate the heating device 120 depending on a certain parameter of the product 102. Thus, the device 100 is provided with a means of determining the authenticity of the product 102 and has the ability to change the operation of the device 100, for example, by preventing the supply of electrical energy to the heating device 120, if determined that item 102 is not genuine. Preventing device 100 from being used when a non-genuine product is inserted into device 100 will reduce the likelihood of a bad consumer experience due to the use of unauthorized consumables.

In some examples, controller 116 is able to determine a parameter of product 102 based on received one or more inputs from sensor structure 122a, 122b and adjust the heating profile provided by heater 120 based on the determined parameter. The heating device 120 of the device 100 may be configured to provide a first heating profile if the product identification 102 has the first characteristic (for example, by controlling the electrical power supply by the controller 116), and a second heating profile if the product identification 102 has the second characteristic, different from the first. For example, device 100 may be able to determine whether a consumable item is solid or non-solid and adjust the heating profile accordingly. In other examples, device 100 may be able to distinguish between different tobacco blends in product 102 and tailor the heating profile accordingly to the particular tobacco blend that has been inserted into device 100.

In FIG. 4 shows an example of an article 102 that contains an aerosol-forming agent for use with device 100. In some examples, article 102 also includes a filter structure (not shown) in addition to the aerosol-forming agent.

The product 102 also includes a marking structure 126 which is identifiable by the sensor structure 122a, 122b of the device 100. The marking structure 126 includes a first marker 126a and a second marker 126b which contains identification information. First marker 126a is configured to be detected by sensor structure 122a, 122b to indicate the presence of article 102. First marker 126a may be composed of one or more markers, as described below.

The second marker 126b may consist of one or more tokens and represents encoded information that indicates a parameter or characteristic of the product 102. As mentioned above, the parameter may indicate the manufacturer of the product 102, which allows you to confirm the authenticity of the product 102. In other examples, the parameter may indicate the type of aerosol. substances in article 102, such as whether the aerosol-forming agent is a solid, liquid, or gel. Also, this parameter may indicate a variant of the aerosolizing agent, for example, whether the aerosolizing agent is Burley tobacco or Virginia tobacco. In other examples, this parameter may indicate the heating profile that should be used to heat the article 102. The parameter may indicate other characteristics of the article 102. The presence of the second marker 126b allows the device 100 to provide a user-tailored experience based on the identification information of the article 102.

The first marker 126a and the second marker 126b, which contains identification information, are located at a predetermined distance S1 from each other. As shown in FIG. 4, the distance S1 is measured from the middle of the first marker 126a to the middle of the second marker 126b. However, in other examples, the distance separating the markers may be measured from the beginning of the first marker 126a to the beginning of the second marker 126b, or as the amount of any white space between them, or as any other appropriately defined size.

Marking structure 126 may include optical elements, such as in FIG. 4 shows that the first marker 126a is a single line marker located on the outside of the article 102, and the second marker 126b contains multiple line markers located on the outside of the article 102. FIG. The 4 lines are shown with the same width, but in other examples the width of the lines may be different. In the example of FIG. 4, the second marker 126b indicates the encoded parameter associated with the product 102. The marker 126, after reading it, can be looked up in a lookup table that stores the correspondence of the data associated with the marker 126 (for example, a binary sequence that is indicated by a pointer), and a heating profile or other activity associated with the device. In addition, data associated with token 126 may be encoded according to a secret key common to all aerosol generating devices of a particular manufacturer/geography, and the device is configured to decode the encoded data prior to looking up the decoded data in a lookup table.

In this embodiment of product 102, which is cylindrical, one or more markings, such as lines, may extend partially around the perimeter or circumference of product 102, or completely around the perimeter of product 102. In some examples, the sensor structure 122a, 122b, which is detectable marking structure 126 may be located at a specific location in device 100. For example, sensor structure 122a, 122b may be located adjacent to one side of camera 112 and may have limited sensitivity. The presence of markings that extend around the entire perimeter of the article 102 facilitates detection of the marking structure 126 by the sensor structure 122a, 122b, regardless of the particular orientation of the article 102 in the device 100.

Marking structure 126 can be made in various forms and materials depending on the particular design 122a, 122b with sensors of the device 100 with which product 102 is intended to be used. Marking structure 126 may contain optical elements such as lines, gaps or notches, surface roughness and/or reflective material. The second marker 126b may contain optical elements such as a barcode or a QR code.

In other examples, marking structure 126 comprises an electrically conductive element, and sensor structure 122a, 122b can be configured to detect a change in capacitance or resistance when article 102 with marking structure 126 is inserted into device 100. Having structure 122 with non-optical sensors could potentially be a more robust solution than an optical sensor since it will not be affected by deposition of components on the optical sensor or degradation of the optical sensor during operation of the device 100. Non-optical sensors can be implemented as RF sensors or permanent magnet Hall sensors or sensors Hall with an electromagnet. The marking structure 126 may be made of an appropriate material positioned to affect the non-optical signal received by the sensors 122a, 122b.

In other examples, marking structure 126 may contain a combination of optical and electrically conductive elements, for example, the first marker 126a may contain electrically conductive elements, and the second marker 126b may contain optical elements.

The marking structure 126 may be located outside the article 102, inside the article 102, or both outside and inside the article 102. outside of product 102 so that it is visible to sensor structure 122a, 122b of device 100.

The first marker 126a and the second marker 126b are spaced at a predetermined distance from each other, indicated in FIG. 4 as S1. The presence of space between the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b reduces the possibility of mutual interference between the two zones. The sensor structure 122a, 122b includes a first sensor 122a that is configured to detect a first marker 126a and a second sensor 122b that is configured to detect a second marker 126b. In FIG. 5 shows an example of a sensor structure 122a, 122b that includes a first sensor 122a and a second sensor 122b, with the first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b located at a distance S2 from each other. The distance between the first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b approximately matches the predetermined distance between the first marker 126a and the second marker, such that S1 is approximately equal to S2. The first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b may be spaced apart from each other, which is any suitable distance in the device 100. In one example, the first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b are spaced apart from each other, which is less than 70 mm, preferably less than 50 mm. mm, more preferably less than 30 mm, even more preferably less than 25 mm, or most preferably less than 20 mm.

If the first marker 126a was detected by the first sensor 122a and the second marker 126b is not aligned with the second sensor 122b, then the second sensor 122b may be unable to read the identification information from the second marker 126b. As a result, matching the distance between the first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b and the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b authenticates the item 102 and operation of the device 100 should be prevented if these distances do not match.

In one example, first sensor 122a may have a first sensing area in which first sensor 122a is able to detect first marker 126a, and second sensor 122b may have a second sensing zone in which second sensor 122b is able to detect second marker 126b. In this example, the first and second sensors 122a, 122b are spaced apart such that a point in the first sensing zone and a point in the second sensing zone are at a predetermined distance from each other. This arrangement provides some tolerance for the distance between the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b. In one example, the first sensing zone defines a first distance along the longitudinal axis of camera 112, and the second sensing zone defines a second distance along the longitudinal axis of camera 112. In this example, the first and second sensors 122a, 122b are spaced apart such that its magnitude is between a predetermined distance minus the first and second longitudinal distances and a predetermined distance plus the first and second longitudinal distances. It should be noted again that this arrangement provides some tolerance for the distance between the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b. The sensitivity zones are determined based on the operating tolerances of the sensors. For example, zones of sensitivity may be determined based on the field of view of an optical sensor or the range of an RFID sensor, which is, for example, 20 mm.

This tolerance allows markers 126a and 126b to be positioned differently on the consumable item for different products. For example, it may be difficult during manufacture to ensure that markers 126a, 126b are exactly in the same position on the consumable, but the relative distance between markers 126a, 126b can be obtained with high accuracy. Due to the location of the sensors with some tolerance, the distance between the markers 126a, 126b can still be used to determine authenticity and/or other information about the product with a simpler manufacturing process.

In general, a sensor arrangement may be made to determine the relative position of the first and second markers. For example, relative position can be expressed as a distance between them or as a vector. The relative position of the first marker and the second marker can be used to convey product information. For example, the distance between two markers can be used in a lookup table to determine information and/or parameters regarding the consumable item, such as aerosolizing agent type, heating profile, and/or product identity. For example, the relative distance between the first and second markers can be changed in 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2 mm increments.

In some examples, the relative spacing between markers is combined with additional information read from the marker, such as a barcode or 2D barcode. The combination of distance and information read from the tokens can provide authentication when only some combinations are allowed. For example, a particular marker may be associated with one relative location of the first and second markers. If the distance is not substantially equal to the distance associated with the marker, then the article may be identified as counterfeit.

In some examples, the first sensor may indicate the position of the first marker within its sensing zone as a reference line or reference value for use by the second sensor. In such examples, the second sensor may determine the position of the second marker within its sensing zone relative to a reference line or reference value provided by the first sensor, which will determine the relative position of the markers.

First marker 126a may be configured to be determined by sensor structure 122a, 122b to determine if product 102 is in proximity to first sensor 122a. In one example, the sensor structure 122a, 122b is configured to operate in a first mode while monitoring the presence of the first marker 126a. In the first mode, the sensor structure 122a, 122b is made without the possibility of detecting the second marker 126b, so that the device can operate at relatively low power. When the sensor structure 122a, 122b detects the presence of the first product marker 126a, it switches to a second mode in which the sensor structure 122a, 122b is able to detect the second marker 126b. Limiting the operation of the sensor structure 122a, 122b to the first mode, which consumes less power than the second mode, is effective because the device 100 does not have to consume relatively high power to determine the second token 126b, which contains identification information, until the sensor structure 122a, 122b did not detect the presence of the first marker 126a.

In one example, in the first mode, the sensor structure 122a, 122b is configured to discretely monitor the presence of the first marker 126a. In one example, the sensor structure 122a, 122b periodically monitors the presence of the first marker 126a at regular intervals. However, in other examples, the sensor structure 122a, 122b may monitor the presence of the first marker 126a at irregular intervals. In one example, the sensor structure 122a, 122b is configured to monitor the presence of the first marker 126a with a load factor of no more than 10%. In one example, the sensor structure 122a, 122b is configured to track the first marker 126a for 1 millisecond every 10 milliseconds. Discrete tracking of the presence of the first marker 126a is more energy efficient than continuous tracking, since it does not require a constant consumption of a power source. It should be understood that the sensor structure 122a, 122b can be configured to start tracking the presence of the first marker 126a in response to input from the user, such as turning on the device 100 (for example, when the user presses a button on the outside of the device 100). In addition, when the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b are determined, the sensor structure 122a, 122b can be turned off for a predetermined period of time (eg, no determination is made for a predetermined period of time). These embodiments can further reduce power consumption.

The sensor structure 122a, 122b may provide a first signal to the input of the controller 116 to indicate that an article 102 has been detected that contains the first marker 126a. Upon receiving the first input signal, the controller 116 may be instructing the sensor structures 122a, 122b to operate in a second mode in order to determine the second marker 126b. In one alternative example, sensor structure 122a, 122b may be configured to simultaneously detect first marker 126a and second marker 126b.

The second marker 126b contains markers that are configured to be detected by the sensor structure 122a, 122b so that a parameter associated with the article 102 can be determined by the controller 116. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the second marker 126b, which contains the identification information, contains four marking elements in the form of lines. Marking elements are located at different distances from each other. The location of the markings indicates the product parameter 102, which is described in more detail below. For example, the location of the markings may indicate that the product 102 is genuine and intended for use with the device 100, or it may indicate the heating profile to be used with this product 102. The design 122a, 122b with sensors is configured to provide data, which indicate to the controller 116 the product parameter 102.

When capacitive or resistive detection is used, the marking structure 126 may be located inside and/or outside the article 102. The marking structure 126 may be literally "applied to" the article 102, for example, by printing. Alternatively, the marking structure 126 may be formed in the article 102 or on the article 102 using other technology, for example, a control marker may be integral with the article 102 during manufacture.

In certain examples, and depending on the detection technology used to define the marking structure 126, the marking structure 126 may be made of an electrically conductive material. The marking structure 126 may be, for example, a metal component such as aluminum or conductive ink, or may be a ferrous or non-ferrous metal coating. The ink may be printed on the tip paper of article 102 using, for example, rotogravure printing, screen printing, inkjet printing, or any other suitable process.

In general, capacitance detection as used herein works by efficiently detecting the change in capacitance when article 102 is positioned in device 100. In fact, in one embodiment of the invention, a capacitance value is obtained. If the container satisfies one or more of the criteria, then article 102 may be determined to be suitable for use with device 100, which may then proceed as usual to heat the aerosol-forming agent. If the container does not meet one or more of the criteria, then it may be determined that product 102 is not suitable for use with device 100 and device 100 will not function to heat the aerosol-forming agent and/or may provide some warning message to the user. In general, capacitive detection can work due to the presence in the device 100 of (at least) one electrode, which actually provides one "plate" of the capacitor, and the presence of another "plate" of the capacitor in the form of an electrically conductive marking structure 126 of the aforementioned device 100. When the product 102 inserted into the device 100, the capacitance value that is formed by the combination of the electrode of the device 100 and the article 102 can be obtained, and then this value is checked against one or more criteria to determine whether the device 100 can proceed to heat the article 102. Alternatively, the device 100 can be provided with (at least) two electrodes, which actually provide a pair of "plates" of the capacitor. When article 102 is inserted into device 100, it is positioned between two electrodes. As a result, the capacitance formed by these electrodes of the device 100 changes. A value for this capacitance can be obtained, and then this value is checked against one or more criteria to determine whether the device 100 can proceed further to heat the article 102.

In some examples, the sensor structure 122a, 122b comprises at least two different detection technologies, for example, the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to detect different properties. In one example, one sensor, such as first sensor 122a, may be optical and another sensor, such as second sensor 122b, may be capacitive.

In FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of an article 202 for use with an aerosol-forming agent heater. In this example, the marking structure 22 is in the form of a plurality of recesses or depressions made in the article 202. Similar to the marking structure 126 shown in FIG. 4, marking structure 226 in the example of FIG. 6 contains a first marker 226a and a second marker 226b. The first marker 226a contains a single marking element, and the second marker 226b contains marking elements located at different distances from each other. The first marker 226a and the second marker 226b are located at a distance S1 from each other.

In FIG. 7 shows an illustrative example of a construction 222a, 222b with optical sensors. In this example, the sensor structure 222a, 222b comprises a first sensor 222a in the form of a first light source 232a in the form of an LED and a first light receiving device 234a in the form of a light sensor, and a second sensor 222b in the form of a second light source 232b and a second light receiving device 234b. Light receiving devices 234a, 234b are configured to receive light from light sources 232a, 232b. When used when the product 202 is positioned adjacent to the sensor structure 222a, 222b between the light sources 232a, 232b and the receivers 234a, 234b, the product 202 blocks the light and prevents it from being received by the receivers 234a, 234b. In other examples, product 202 reduces the amount of light received by receivers 234a, 234b rather than blocking it. However, light is not blocked at the location of the recessed markings, hence the amount of light received by the receiving devices 234a, 234b will vary along the length of the article 202, depending on whether or not a recess is located in the light path between the sources. 232 lights and 234 reception devices. In this example, the first sensor structure sensor 222a is located at a distance S2 from the second sensor structure sensor 222b.

In FIG. 8 shows an example of a signal generated by the sensor structure 222a, 222b. In this example, first signal 240 represents light received by first light sensor 234a from first light source 232a, and second signal 242 represents light received by second light sensor 234b from second light source 232b. The position of the peaks of the first signal 240 is equivalent to the location of the first marker 226a on the product 202, and the position of the peaks of the second signal 242 indicates the location of the second marker 226b. As shown in FIG. 8, the distance between the center peak point of the first signal 240 and the center peak point of the second signal 242 is the distance S3, which is substantially equal to S1 and S2. If the distance S2 between the first sensor 222a and the second sensor 222b is not substantially equal to the distance S1 between the first marker 226a and the second marker 226b, then some or all of the signals 240, 242 are missing, which would indicate that the product 202 is not genuine. .

In one example, in the first mode, the sensor structure 222a, 222b is configured to discretely monitor the presence of the first marker 226a so that in the first mode no power is applied to the light source 232b and the light receiver 234b. The first signal 240 shown in FIG. 8 may be provided to the controller 216 as a first input that determines whether the position and size of the first marker 226a indicates that the article 202 is genuine or not, such as using a lookup table. If the controller 216 determines that the first marker 226a indicates that the article 202 is genuine, then the sensor structure 222a, 222b switches to a second mode in which electrical power is supplied to the light source 232b and the light receiving device 234b so that the second sensor 222b could determine the second marker 226b. The second signal 242 shown in FIG. 8 may be applied to controller 216 as a second input. The controller 116 determines the identification information of the product 202, for example, using a lookup table. The second input indicates the product parameter 202 and thus allows the controller 116 to determine the product parameter 202.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the sensor structure 222a, 222b comprises two light sources 232a, 232b and two receivers 234a, 234b. However, in other examples, the optical sensor may include an array of light sources and an array of light sensors. In an example of a marking structure 226 that contains a reflective material, the light source 232 and the light receiver 234 may be formed as a single element and the light will be reflected back towards the light source/light receiver to indicate the position of the marking.

In other examples, the sensor structure 122a, 122b, 222a, 222b is configured to determine the marking structure 126, 226 by measuring reflection from the surface of the product 102, 202 or the surface roughness of the product 102, 202. In other examples, the structure 122a, 122b, 222a, 222b with sensors can be configured to determine and read the marker 126b containing identification information in the form of a barcode or QR code. In other examples, the sensor structure 122a, 122b, 222a, 222b can be configured to detect visible or invisible fluorescent material.

The controller 116 may contain pre-programmed information such as a lookup table that contains details of the various possible locations of the second marker 126b, 226b and which parameter is associated with that location. Thus, the controller 116 is able to determine the parameter associated with the product 102, 202.

The controller 116 may be configured such that it only heats the article 102, 202 that it recognizes and does not work with the article 102, 202 that it does not recognize. Device 100 may be configured to provide some indication to the user that article 102, 202 has not been recognized. This indication may be visual (eg, a warning light, which, for example, may flash or remain on continuously for a certain period of time) and/or audible (eg, a warning "intermittent signal" or the like). Alternatively, or additionally, device 100 may be configured to follow a first heating profile when it recognizes a first type of article 102, 202 and adhere to a second, different heating profile when it recognizes a second type of article 102, 202 (and , if desired, may provide additional heating profiles for products 102, 202 of other types). The heating profiles may differ in different points, for example, the rate of heat delivery to the aerosol-forming agent, the time points for different heating cycles, which part(s) of the aerosol-forming agent is heated first, etc., etc. This allows the same device 100 to be used with products 102, 202 of different basic types with minimal user interaction required.

In FIG. 9 shows another example of an article 302 that contains an aerosol-forming agent for use with device 100. Similar to article 102 shown in FIG. 4, article 302 comprises a marking structure 326a, 326b in the form of optical lines. In this example, the lines run substantially along the longitudinal axis of article 302 rather than substantially perpendicular to that axis, as shown in the example of article 102 of FIG. 4.

Similar to articles 102, 202 shown in FIG. 4 and 6, the marking structure 326 is divided into a first marker 326a (such as a control marker) and a second marker 326b. The first marker 326a and the second marker 326b are located at a distance S1 from each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the second marker 326b contains four markers in the form of lines with variable spacing between them. In one example, the spacing between the markers may be such as to create a predetermined start of the markers and a predetermined end of the markers. Since the product 302 can be inserted into the device 100 in any orientation, it may be necessary to rotate the product 302 fully or partially in order to read all the markings using one or more sensors 322a, 322b to determine the distances between the markings.

In some examples, the product 102, 202, 302 may include an arrangement that allows the consumable to be inserted into the device 100 in a given orientation. For example, the article may include a protrusion or notch that conforms to the shape of opening 106 of device 100. Thus, in some embodiments, article 102, 202, 302 may only be inserted into device 100 in one orientation. In an exemplary embodiment of article 102, 202, 302 that is subsequently rotated, the start position will be known and, in fact, there will be no need to rotate article 102, 202, 302 by at least 360°. In other examples, article 102, 202, 302 may have predetermined finger retainers or orientations for alignment or feeding into the device (providing a predetermined insertion pattern for the consumable).

In some examples, one or more sensors 122a, 122b may be located in a specific location within device 100. For example, sensor assembly 122a, 122b may be located in chamber 112 or may have a limited sensing area. Similarly, the marking structure 126 may be located at a specific location on the article 102, 202, 302 or in the article 102, 202, 302 and may occupy a specific area or volume of the article 102. To define the marking structure 126 when the user inserts the article 102 into the receiving socket, desirably, the device 100 limits the orientation of the article 102 coupled to the camera 112 to one position. This can ensure that the marking structure 126 is correctly aligned with the sensor structure 122a, 122b so that the marking structure 126 can be determined.

In FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. In step 900, the device 100 determines, with the aid of the first sensor 122a of the sensor structure, the first indicia 126a of the article 102 that contains the aerosol-forming agent. In step 902, the device 100 determines, with the aid of the second sensor structure sensor 122b, the second indicia of the article 102. In step 904, the device 100 controls the aerosol generating device based on the first indicia and the second indicia.

In some examples, the controller 116 controls the operation of one or more heaters 120 based on a parameter of the specified product, for example, if the controller determines that a counterfeit product is inserted in the device 100, then the heaters are not activated. Alternatively, controller 116 may determine the type of aerosol-forming agent in the article, such as a solid, liquid, or gel, and may adjust the heating profile accordingly.

In some examples, multiple first and second sensors may be provided that are located at different, predetermined distances from each other. For example, the first of the first sensors and the first of the second sensors may be located at the same predetermined distance, and the second of the first sensors and the second of the second sensors may be located at a different predetermined distance. These different predetermined distances may correspond to different products 102, which may have markers located at different predetermined distances. Accordingly, the controller 116 may be configured to determine the different products 102 based on which of the sensor groups has detected the input signal(s). This allows the controller 116 to distinguish between the products 102, exclusively or additionally, based on which sensors have detected the input signal. It should be understood that the sensors of the same "group" can be used to define additional groups of sensors - that is, the first of the first sensors and the second of the second sensors can define their own group, and the input signal detected by these sensors indicates a different product for the input signal, defined using the first or second groups.

Product 102, 202, 302 may contain one or more flavors. As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavor" refer to materials that, where permitted by local law, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in an adult product. They may be extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, white-stemmed Japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drumbuie, bourbon, scotch whiskey, whisky, mint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, acacia, cumin, cognac, jasmine, ylang -ylang, sage, fennel, cloves, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee or peppermint oil from any plant of the mint variety), odor enhancers, bitterness receptor active site blockers, sensation receptor active site stimulants and activators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol) and other supplements such as activated charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plants or breath fresheners. They can be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures. They may contain natural or nature-identical chemical fragrances. They may be in any suitable form, for example in the form of an oil, liquid, powder or gel.

The embodiments of the invention described above are to be understood as illustrative examples and further embodiments of the invention are intended. It should be understood that any feature of any embodiment of the invention may be used alone or in combination with other features, as well as in combination with one or more features of any other embodiment of the invention or with any other embodiment of the invention. Equivalents and modifications not described above may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by its claims.

Claims (24)

1. A device for producing aerosol from an aerosol-forming substance, comprising a housing; a chamber for receiving an article containing an aerosol-forming substance and a marking structure including a first marker and a second marker, which are located at a predetermined distance from each other; and a sensor structure that includes a first sensor for detecting a first marker and a second sensor for detecting a second marker, characterized in that the first and second sensors are located at approximately the same distance from each other as the specified predetermined distance, and the first sensor has a first sensitivity zone in which it is able to determine the first marker, and the second sensor has a second sensitivity zone, in which he is able to determine the second marker; wherein the first and second sensors are located at such a distance from each other that the point in the first sensitivity zone and the point in the second sensitivity zone are separated from each other by the specified predetermined distance. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the design with sensors is configured to determine the relative position of the first and second markers. 3. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, characterized in that the camera determines the longitudinal axis, and the first and second sensors are located along a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the camera. 4. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, characterized in that the first sensitivity zone determines the first distance along the longitudinal direction of the camera, and the second sensitivity zone determines the second distance along the longitudinal direction of the camera, while the first and second sensors are separated from each other by a distance, the value of which is between a predetermined a distance minus the first and second longitudinal distances; and a predetermined distance plus the first and second longitudinal distances. 5. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that it contains one or more aerosol generation elements, which are configured to actuate them based on certain product identification information. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that one or more aerosol generating elements comprise a heating device. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the heating device is configured to provide a first heating profile if the identification information has a first characteristic, and to provide a second heating profile if the identification information has a second characteristic different from the first. 8. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, characterized in that the design with sensors contains an optical sensor. 9. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, characterized in that the design with sensors contains a capacitive sensor. 10. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, in which the first and second sensors are different types of sensors. 11. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, characterized in that the predetermined distance does not exceed 70, 50, 30, 25 or 20 mm. 12. Product for use with the device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, containing an aerosol-forming substance and a marking structure, including a first marker and a second marker, which contains identification information, while the first and second markers are located at a predetermined distance from each other. 13. The product according to claim 12, in which the marking structure contains optical elements. 14. The product according to any one of paragraphs. 12 or 13, in which the marking structure contains electrically conductive elements. 15. The product according to any one of paragraphs. 12-14 which defines the insertion axis, and the marking structure is located along a direction substantially parallel to the insertion axis. 16. The product according to any one of paragraphs. 12-14, in which the marking structure is located around at least part of the perimeter of the product. 17. The product according to any one of paragraphs. 12-16, in which the identification information indicates that the article contains a substance in at least one of the following states: solid, liquid, or gel. 18. The system for providing an aerosol containing the device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11 and the product according to any one of paragraphs. 12-17. 19. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device, comprising the steps of: using the first sensor of the sensor structure, the first indicating sign of the product containing the aerosol-forming substance is determined; determining, by means of a second sensor of the sensor structure, which is located at a predetermined distance from the first sensor, a second product indicative sign; determining the distance between the first indicating character and the second indicating character; and controlling the aerosol generating device based on at least the distance between the first indicating sign and the second indicating sign.

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